U.S. patent application number 11/210005 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-05 for method and apparatus for collecting biological materials.
This patent application is currently assigned to Biomet Manufacturing Corp.. Invention is credited to Michael D. Leach.
Application Number | 20070075016 11/210005 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37900877 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070075016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leach; Michael D. |
April 5, 2007 |
Method and apparatus for collecting biological materials
Abstract
A method and apparatus for separating and concentrating a
selected component from a multi-component material. The
multi-component material may include a whole sample such as adipose
tissue, whole blood, or the like. The apparatus generally includes
a moveable piston positioned within a separation container and a
withdrawal tube that is operable to interact with a distal end of
the collection container past the piston. Material can be withdrawn
through the withdrawal tube.
Inventors: |
Leach; Michael D.; (Warsaw,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
Biomet Manufacturing Corp.
Warsaw
IN
|
Family ID: |
37900877 |
Appl. No.: |
11/210005 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/516 ;
210/781 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 2400/0633 20130101;
B01L 2200/026 20130101; B01L 2400/0478 20130101; B01L 3/50215
20130101; Y10T 436/25375 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/516 ;
210/781 |
International
Class: |
B01D 17/00 20060101
B01D017/00; B01D 43/00 20060101 B01D043/00; B04B 3/00 20060101
B04B003/00; B01D 12/00 20060101 B01D012/00; B01D 33/15 20060101
B01D033/15; C02F 1/38 20060101 C02F001/38; B01D 33/27 20060101
B01D033/27 |
Claims
1. A system to separate a component from a selected material,
comprising: a separation container operable to contain the selected
material; a piston positioned in said separation container; and a
conduit positioned in said separation container operable to remove
and/or deliver the selected material to a distal end of said
separation container past said piston.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a centrifuge; wherein
said separation container is operable to be positioned in said
centrifuge and said centrifuge is operable to spin said separation
container.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said conduit includes a tube
extending between a first end of said separation container and a
second end of said separation container.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said conduit is accessible from
an exterior of said separation container.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an access port;
wherein said access port is operable to obtain access to an
interior of said separation container.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein said conduits extend from said
port.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said piston includes a density of
about 1.00 grams per milliliter to about 1.10 grams per
milliliter.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said piston includes a density
less than the component.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one of a
collection system, a mixing system, an application system, a
withdrawal system, or combinations thereof.
10. The system of claim 2, wherein said centrifuge is operable to
produce a force in said separation container to allow said piston
to move relative to said separation container.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a stop member;
wherein said stop member is operable to resist a motion of said
piston relative to said separation container.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said stop member extends from
said conduit.
13. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a top operable to
substantially close said separation container to an exterior
environment; a port extending through said top; wherein said
conduit and said port operably interconnect to allow withdrawal of
the component from a position on a side of the piston opposite the
position of the top.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the separation container is
operable to contain a biological material.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the separation container is
operable to separate stromal cells from the biological
material.
16. A kit for separating a selected component from a material,
comprising: a separation container operable to hold the material; a
piston operable to be positioned in said separation container
having a density and a first side and a second side; a withdrawal
tube extending between a first end and a second end, wherein said
second end is positioned past said second side of said piston
opposite of said first end; a collection system operable to obtain
the material; and a withdrawal system operable to withdraw the
selected component from said separation container.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the material includes a biological
material.
18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the selected component includes
stromal cells.
19. The kit of claim 16, wherein the density of said piston is
about 1.0 grams per milliliter to about 1.10 grams per
milliliter.
20. The kit of claim 16, wherein said separation container includes
a sidewall operable to flex under a selected force.
21. The kit of claim 16, further comprising: a centrifuge: wherein
said centrifuge is operable to apply a force to said separation
container.
22. The kit of claim 16, wherein said piston is operable to move
relative to said withdrawal tube inside said separation
container.
23. The kit of claim 16, wherein said separation container is
operable to hold said piston in a selected position to physically
separate the component from the remainder of the biological
material.
24. The kit of claim 16, wherein at least one of the said
collection system, said withdrawal system, or combinations thereof,
includes a syringe.
25. The kit of claim 16, further comprising at least one of a
bandage, a tourniquet, a needle, a sterilizable container, a mixing
component, or combinations thereof.
26. A method of separating a selected biological component from a
biological material with a separation system including a piston and
a withdrawal tube, the method comprising: positioning the
biological material in the separation container near a first side
of the piston; applying a force to the biological material in the
separation container; sequestering the selected biological
component near a second side of the piston from the remainder of
the biological material in the separation tube; and withdrawing the
selected biological component from the separation container through
said withdrawal tube.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein applying a force to the
biological material includes spinning the biological material in
the separation system within a centrifuge.
28. The method of claim 26, further comprising: moving the piston
within the separation system from a first position to a second
position.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: stopping the
movement of the piston at a second position with a stop
portion.
30. The method of claim 26, wherein withdrawing the selected
biological components includes removing stromal cells from the
separation system.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein sequestering the selected
biological component includes moving at least one of the pistons
towards a proximal end of the separation system, the biological
component towards a distal end of the separation system, or
combinations thereof.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein sequestering the selected
biological component further includes holding the piston at a
selected position relative to the separation system with a
container holding the piston and the selected biological
component.
33. The method of claim 26, further comprising: obtaining the
biological material.
34. The method of claim 26, further comprising: sterilizing the
separation system.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present teachings relate generally to collection of
selected biological materials, in particularly to a method and
apparatus for separating and collecting a selected biological
component.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various biological materials, such as whole blood, adipose
tissue and the like, are formed of a plurality of components or
fractioned. These various fractions can be collected and separated
from an anatomy, such as a human anatomy, using various techniques.
Nevertheless, generally known techniques may require a plurality of
steps and a large volume of biological materials to obtain a
selected biological component.
[0003] For example, collecting a selected component of whole blood
or adipose tissue requires collecting a large sample of whole blood
or whole adipose tissue and performing several steps to obtain a
selected fraction of the whole sample. Nevertheless, it may be
desirable to obtain a selected volume for a procedure where time
and quantity are selected to be minimal. Therefore, it may be
desirable to provide a method and apparatus to obtain a selected
volume of a fraction of a biological material in a short period of
time from a selected volume.
SUMMARY
[0004] A method and apparatus is provided for obtaining a selected
fraction or component of a biological material for a use. The
apparatus can generally include a container, including a piston
that is interconnected with a withdrawal tube to withdraw a
selected fraction of a whole material. Generally, the withdrawal
tube can pass through a selected portion of the piston, such as a
distal end of the piston to obtain a material that is positioned
near a distal portion of the container.
[0005] According to various embodiments, a system to separate a
component from a selected material is disclosed. The system can
include a separation container operable to contain the selected
material. A piston can be positioned in said separation container.
A conduit can be positioned in said separation container. The
conduit can remove and/or deliver the selected material to a distal
end of said separation container past said piston.
[0006] According to various embodiments, a kit for separating a
selected component from a material is disclosed. The kit can
include a separation container operable to hold the material. A
piston can be positioned in said separation container having a
density and a first side and a second side. A withdrawal tube can
extend between a first end and a second end. The second end can be
positioned past said second side of said piston opposite of said
first end. A collection system can obtain the material and a
withdrawal system can withdraw the selected component from said
separation container.
[0007] According to various embodiments, a method of separating a
selected biological component from a biological material with a
separation system including a piston and a withdrawal tube is
disclosed. The method can include positioning the biological
material in the separation container near a first side of the
piston. A force can be applied to the biological material in the
separation container. The selected biological component can be
sequestered near a second side of the piston from the remainder of
the biological material in the separation tube. The selected
biological component can be withdrawn from the separation container
through said withdrawal tube.
[0008] Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and various
embodiments are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the teachings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present teachings will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a kit of an apparatus according to various
embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an environmental view of a separating device
according to the various embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates the separating device being filled
according to various embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an environmental view of a filled separating
device according to various embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an environmental view of a separating device at a
centrifuge according to various embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an environmental view of a separating device after
being centrifuged;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an environmental view of material being withdrawn
from the separating device according to various embodiments;
and
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates the environmental view after a selected
component has been withdrawn from the separating device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The following description of the various embodiments is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
teachings, its application, or uses. Although the following
teachings relate to adipose tissue, it will be understood that the
teachings may apply to any appropriate multi-component material
whether biological or not. It will be further understood that a
component can be any appropriate portion of a whole, whether
differing in density, specific gravity, buoyancy, structure, etc.
The component is a portion that can be separated from the
whole.
[0019] With reference to FIG. 1, a kit 20 can be provided to allow
for collection, separation, and application of a selected
biological material or component. The kit 20 can be understood to
include any appropriate devices or materials, and the following
devices are merely exemplary. The kit 20 can include a separation
device 30 that can be used to separate a selected material, such as
an adipose tissue, a whole blood sample, or the like. It will be
understood that the separation device 30 can be disposable,
reusable, or combinations thereof. For example, the separation
device 30 can include a container 32 that may be reusable while a
separation piston 34 is not. Further, the kit 20 can include a
collection device such as a syringe 36, an application device such
as a syringe 38 and a mixing material that may be included in a
syringe 40. The mixing material may be any appropriate material
such as an anti-clotting agent, a clotting agent, an antibiotic, or
the like. It will be understood that the kit 20 may also include
any other appropriate materials such as bandages, tourniquets,
sterilization materials or the like. It will be further understood
that the kit 20 may be provided sterilized, prepared for
sterilization, or any appropriate combination thereof.
[0020] The various syringes 36, 38, 40, may be any generally known
syringe. Nevertheless, the syringe 36 may also be interconnectable
with a needle 42 that can interconnect with a luer fitting 44 of
the syringe 36. The syringe 36 can generally include a container 46
and a plunger 48. This can allow the syringe 36 to withdraw a
selected sample, such as an adipose tissue sample from an anatomy,
such as a human anatomy, for various purposes. The application
syringe 38 can also include a container 50 and a plunger 52. The
application syringe 38 can be any appropriate syringe and can be of
a size to interconnect with the selected portion of the separation
device 30, such as discussed herein. Further, the mixing syringe 40
can also include a container 54 and a plunger 56. The mixing
syringe 40 can include any appropriate material, such as those
described above. The mixing material provided in the mixing syringe
40 can be added to the container 32 at any appropriate time for
interaction with the selected material that can be positioned in
the separation container 30.
[0021] The separation device 30 includes the container 32 that can
include various features. For example, container 32 can be any
appropriate size such as 20 ml, 40 ml, 60 ml, any combination
thereof, fraction thereof, or any appropriate size. The collection
container 32 includes a side wall 60 that can assist in containing
the material positioned in the container 32. The tube 32 may also
include demarcations 62 that indicate a selected volume.
[0022] The sidewall 60 may or may not be flexible under a selected
force. For example, the separation device 30 can be positioned in a
centrifuge or similar device to apply an increased force of gravity
to the material positioned in the tube 32. If the tube 32 is formed
of a selected material, the sidewall 60 may flex under the high
force of gravity to cause an increased diameter of the tube 32
under the higher force of gravity. Alternatively, the sidewall 60
of the container 32 may be formed of a substantially rigid material
that will not flex under a high force of gravity.
[0023] The tube 32 further includes a top or proximal portion that
defines a cap engaging region 64. The cap engaging region 64 can
include a thread or partial threads 66 that can interconnect with a
cap 68. The cap 68 can include an internal thread that can thread
onto the thread 66 of the top portion 64 to fix the cap 68 relative
to the tube 32. Therefore, the cap 68 can be removed from the tube
32, but it will be understood that the cap 68 can also be formed as
an integral or single portion of the tube 32. Therefore, it will be
understood that the separating device 30 can be provided as a
modular system or can be formed as an integral or unitary
member.
[0024] Extending through the cap 68 can be a collection or
application port 72. The port 72 can include a luer locking portion
74, or any other appropriate interconnection portion. The port 74
can extend through the cap 68 to a withdrawal tube 76. It will be
understood that the withdrawal tube 76 may be formed as a single
piece with the port 72 or can be interconnectable with the port 72.
Further, the withdrawal tube 76 can extend through the piston 34
through a central channel 78 defined through the piston 34.
[0025] The withdrawal tube 76 can define a piston stop or stop
member 80. The stop portion 80 can act as a stop member for the
piston 34 so that the piston 34 is able to move only a selected
distance along the withdrawal tube 76. The stop 80 can also be
formed by any appropriate portion, such as the sidewall 60. The
stop 80 is provided to assist in limiting a movement of the piston
34. Therefore, it will be understood that the withdrawal tube 76
may also act as a rod on which the piston 34 is able to move.
[0026] The piston 34 can include any appropriate geometry such as a
geometry that substantially mates with the tube 32, particularly a
distal end 82 of the tube 32. It will be understood, however, that
the piston 34 can also include any other appropriate geometry to
interact with the tube 32. Further, the piston 34 can include a
contacting or central region 84 that includes an outer dimension,
such as a circumference or diameter that is generally equivalent to
an inner diameter or circumference of the tube 32. Therefore the
piston 34 can contact or engage the sidewall 60 of the tube 32 at a
selected time.
[0027] The middle or tube engaging portion 84 of the piston 34 can
include the dimension that is substantially similar to an unchanged
or unforced dimension of the wall 60 of the tube 32. For example,
it may be formed so that there is substantially little space or a
sliding engagement between the tube engaging portion 84 of the
piston 34 and the tube 32. However, under a selected force, such as
a centrifugal force, the wall 60 of the tube 32 can be compressed
axially and be forced outward thereby increasing a dimension, such
as a diameter, of the tube 32. The increasing of the diameter of
the tube 32 relative to the piston 34 can allow for a freer
movement or non-engagement of the tube 32 with the piston 34. In
this way, the piston 34 can move relative to the tube 32 or
materials can move between the piston 34 and the tube 32.
[0028] For example, as discussed herein, the piston 34 may move
relative to the tube 32 when the tube is compressed, thus
increasing the tube's 32 diameter. The piston 34 can move relative
to the withdrawal tube 76 which can allow the piston 34 to move a
selected distance relative to the tube 32 or the cap 68. The stop
80 that is provided on the withdrawal tube 76 can assist in the
minimizing or selectively stopping the piston 34 relative to the
rod 76. This can allow for a maximum motion of the piston 34
relative to the withdrawal tube 76.
[0029] A selected material, such as a biological material, can be
positioned in the tube 32 and the tube 32 can be positioned in a
centrifuge with the piston 34. During the centrifugal motion, the
tube 32 can compress, thereby increasing its diameter relative to
the piston 34, which can allow the piston 34 to more easily move
relative to the withdrawal tube 76 and the container tube 32.
Therefore, the piston 34 can assist in separating a selected
material positioned in the container tube 32. Nevertheless, once
the centrifugal force is removed or reduced, the axial compression
of the container tube 32 can be reduced to thereby return it
substantially to its original dimensions. As discussed above, its
original dimensions can be substantially similar to those of the
piston 34, particularly the tube engaging portion 84 which can hold
the piston 34 in a selected position relative to the tube 32. This
can assist in maintaining a separation of the material positioned
in the tube 32, such as that discussed herein.
[0030] It will be understood that the separation container system
30 can be used with any appropriate process or various selected
biological materials or multi-component materials. Nevertheless,
the separation system 30 can be used to separate a selected
biological material such as stromal cells, mesenchymal stem cells,
blood components, adipose components or other appropriate
biological or multi-component materials. Thus, it will be
understood that the following method is merely exemplary in nature
and not intended to limit the teaching herein.
[0031] With additional reference to FIG. 2, a patient 90 can be
selected. The patient 90 can include an appropriate anatomy and the
collection device 36 can be used to collect a selected portion of
biological material. For example, the collection device 36 can
engage a portion of the patient 90 to withdraw a selected volume of
adipose tissue. The adipose tissue can be selected from any
appropriate portion of the anatomy, though it can be selected from
the abdominal region. In addition, various other components may be
withdrawn into the collection tube 36, such as whole blood, stem
cells, and the like. Further, the collection device 36 can be a
plurality of collection devices that each collect different
components, such as one to collect adipose tissue, one to collect
whole blood, and others to collect other selected biological
materials.
[0032] Once the selected biological material is withdrawn into the
collection device 36, the biological material 92 can be placed into
the container 32. Once the container 32 has been filled an
appropriate amount with the biological material 92, the piston 34,
the rod 76, and the cap 68 can be interconnected with the
collection tube 32.
[0033] With additional reference to FIG. 4, the assembled
separation device 30 can be pre-treated prior to various other
processing steps. For example, selected components, including
enzymes, chemicals, and the like, can be added to the container
tube 32. Further, the selected material, which can include adipose
tissue, can be sonicated or treated with a sonic radiation prior to
further processing steps. The sonication of the adipose tissue can
perform various steps. For example, the sonication of the adipose
tissue can remove or release stromal cells from the adipose tissue
cells. It will be understood that sonication of the adipose tissue
can be performed at any appropriate time. For example, the
sonication of the adipose tissue can be performed once it has been
collected into the collection device 36 and prior to being
positioned in the container 32 or after it has been positioned in
the container 32. Further, all of the selected materials, which may
include whole blood, various components of whole blood, or the
like, can be also added to the container 32.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 5, once the separation system 30 has
been pre-processed, such as with sonication, various chemicals,
various biologically active materials, such as enzymes, can be
positioned in an appropriate separation device, such as a
centrifuge 94. The centrifuge 94 can be operated according to any
appropriate technique to perform a high gravity separation of the
material positioned in the separation device 30. Nevertheless, the
centrifuge device can be spun at any appropriate rotation per
minute (RPM) such as about 2000 to about 4030 RPMs. This can form a
force of gravity on the separation device 30 and the various
materials positioned therein of about 740 G's to about 3000 G's.
Further, the centrifugation step with the centrifuge device 94 can
be performed for any appropriate amount of time. For example, the
separation device 30 can be spun at the selected RPMs for about 5
to about 15 minutes. It will be understood that one skilled in the
art can determine an appropriate RPM and time setting which can be
used to separate selected various materials positioned in the
separation device 30. Further, the separation of different
materials may require different RPMs and different separation
times.
[0035] As discussed above, the piston 34 can be positioned in the
collection tube 32 to assist in separating the materials positioned
in the separation container 32. The piston 34 can be formed of any
appropriate materials and according to any appropriate physical
characteristics. For example, the piston 34 can be formed of a
material or combination of materials that can achieve a selected
density that can assist in separating, such as physically
separating selected components of the biological material 92
positioned in the separation device 30. For example, the piston 34
can include a density that is about 1.00 grams per milliliter to
about 1.10 grams per milliliter, such as less than about 1.06 grams
per cc or 1.06 grams per milliliter. The selected density can
assist in separating denser components or components with a higher
specific gravity, such as stromal cells, that include a specific
gravity that is greater than other components of the biological
material 92 positioned in the tube 32 and also greater than that of
the piston 34. The piston 34, however, can include any appropriate
density.
[0036] As discussed above, when the separation device 30 is
positioned in the centrifuge 94, the centrifuge 94 can be spun. The
forces produced by the centrifuge 94 can compress the collection
container 32 which can increase its diameter thus allowing the
piston 34 to move relative to the container 32. The various
components of the biological material 92 positioned in the
separation tube 32 can thus be physically separated by the piston
34 as it moves relative to the separation tube 32. This can assist
in moving at least one of the piston 34 or a portion of the
biological material 92. Though the biological material can
originally be positioned on top of the piston 34, the forces and/or
flexing of the sidewall 60 can allow at least a component of the
material to move past the piston 34. It will be understood,
however, that the sidewall 60 may not flex and that the material is
simply forced past the piston 34 between the piston 34 and the
sidewall 60. Thus, it will be understood that the material can move
past the piston 34 to the distal end 82 to container 32 according
to any appropriate method such as flexing the sidewall 60, moving
between a space between the piston 34 and the sidewall 60, or any
other appropriate method.
[0037] With additional reference to FIG. 6, the biological material
92 can be separated into a plurality of components that are
contained within the separation container 32. For example, a first
component 92a can be positioned between the piston 34, such as a
distal end of the piston 34a and the distal end of the separation
container 82. The first biological component 92a can be any
appropriate material, including stromal cells, mesenchymal stem
cells or the like. If the biological material 92 positioned within
the separation tube 32 includes adipose tissue, then various other
components can include a plasma and plasma protein component 92b
and a fat and oil components 92c. It will be understood, as
illustrated in FIG. 6, that the fat and oil component 92c is
generally formed near a proximal end of the tube 32 while the
denser stromal cells are formed as a cell button near the distal
and 82. Further, it will be understood that various materials,
including plasma and plasma proteins, may also include a density
that is higher than that of the piston 34 and thus may also be
formed or moved towards the distal end 82 of the separation tube
32. Nevertheless, the first component 92a can include a high
concentration of the high density materials that is of a selected
material to be separated using the separation device 30, because of
the piston 34 and the stop 80.
[0038] Further, because the various materials, such as plasma or
plasma proteins, can include a density that is similar to that of
the first component 92a, which can include the stromal cells, the
stop 80 can extend from the withdrawal tube 76 to ensure a low
concentration or low volume of the plasma, plasma proteins, or the
materials that may include a density that is greater than that of
the piston 34. Although it may be selected to include a selected
volume of the plasma or plasma proteins near the distal end 82 of
the separation tube 32, such as for withdrawal of the selected
cells, such as stromal cells, it may be selected to keep the
concentration at a selected amount. Therefore the stop 80 can
assist in achieving the selected volume and concentration of the
first component 92a to be separated by the separation device
30.
[0039] With additional reference to FIG. 7, the withdrawal device
38 can be interconnected with the withdrawal port 72 which
interconnects the withdrawal device 38 with the withdrawal tube 76.
As discussed above, the withdrawal tube 76 can pass through the
piston 34. Because the withdrawal tube 76 can be fixed relative to
the cap 78, the withdrawal tube 76 may not move during the
centrifugation process. This allows the piston 34 to move relative
to the separation tube 32 while the withdrawal tube 76 maintains
its position. The withdrawal tube 76 can include a portion
positioned generally near the distal portion 82 of the separation
tube 32. Therefore, the withdrawal port 72 can be interconnected or
operable to remove a material that is positioned near the distal
end 82 of the separation tube 32. Though the piston 34 can move
proximally and allowed for separation of a volume near the distal
end 82 of the separation tube 32, the withdrawal tube 76 is still
positioned near the distal end 82 of the separation tube 32.
Therefore, the collection device 38 can be interconnected with the
withdrawal port 72 and used to withdraw the volume of material that
is positioned near the distal end of the tube 82. Thus, the
separated material, which can include stromal cells or other
appropriate biological components, can be withdrawn after being
separated and concentrated with the separation system 30 without
withdrawing other various components such as the components 92b and
92c of the biological material 92.
[0040] As the collection device 38 withdraws material from the
separation tube 32, the piston 34 can be moved generally in the
direction of the arrow A. This can allow for a displacement of the
volume being removed into the collection tube 38 as the piston 34
moves in the direction of arrow A towards the distal end 82 of the
separation tube 32. Further, this movement of the piston 34 can
assist in withdrawing the material from the distal end 82 of the
separation tube 32.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 8, the piston 34 can remain or,
again, substantially fill the internal volume of the distal portion
82 of the separation tube 32 as it moves toward the distal end 82
as the material is withdrawn. Therefore, the piston 34 can also
assist in withdrawing the material from the separation tube 32.
Since the piston 34 can substantially fill the volume of the
material 92a being withdrawn from the separation tube 32, it can
help insure that substantially all of the volume of the material
92a is withdrawn from the separation container 32.
[0042] Therefore, the separation device 30 can assist in
separating, concentrating, and collecting a selected biological
component of the biological material 92. It will be understood that
while collecting stromal cells from a sonicated adipose tissue is
described that the separation, concentration, and collection of any
selected biological component may be performed. One skilled in the
art will understand that the separation device 30 can be used with
any appropriate biological material that can be positioned in the
separation tube 32.
[0043] The separation device 30 can be used to separate and
concentrate a selected volume of material from a substantially
small volume of the whole biological material 92. Because the
separation system 30 includes the various components, including the
withdrawal tube 76 that extends substantially the length of the
separation container 32, the piston 34, and the various other
components, the biological material 92 can be affectively separated
and concentrated into various component, including the denser
component 92a and can be easily withdrawn from the separation tube
32 without interference of the other components of the biological
material 92.
[0044] The withdrawn material, which may include the stromal cells,
can then be used for various purposes. The withdrawn material can
include the selected biological component, such as stromal cells,
mesenchymal stem cells, or other stem cells. The stromal cells that
are collected from the selected biological material, such as
adipose tissue, can be applied to various portions of the anatomy
to assist in healing, growth, regeneration, and the like. For
example, during an orthopedic procedure, an implant may be
positioned relative to a bony structure. The stromal cells or other
components can be applied near the cite of the implantation, to the
implant before implantation, to an area of removed bone, or the
like, to assist in regeneration of growth of the bone. The stem
cells, such as the stromal or mesenchymal cells, can differentiate
and assist in healing and growth of the resected bone. Therefore,
the separated and concentrated biological component, which can
include the stromal cells or other appropriate biological
components, can be applied to assist in regeneration, speed healing
after a procedure, or other appropriate applications. Briefly, the
undifferentiated cells can differentiate after implantation or
placement in a selected portion of the anatomy.
[0045] The teachings are merely exemplary in nature and, thus,
variations that do not depart from the gist of the teachings are
intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations
are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of
the teachings.
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